Payam Javan: Electronic Arts Inc. (EA) has agreed to be acquired in a record-breaking $55 billion all-cash transaction by a consortium led by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), Silver Lake, and Affinity Partners. The deal, announced Sept. 20, marks the largest private buyout in history, with EA shareholders set to receive $210 per share — a 25 percent premium over the company’s September 25 closing price. EA’s board of directors has unanimously approved the agreement, which is expected to close in the first quarter of fiscal 2027, pending regulatory and stockholder approvals.

Following the acquisition, EA will become privately held, with its stock delisted from public markets. The company will remain headquartered in Redwood City, California, under the continued leadership of CEO Andrew Wilson, who praised the deal as an opportunity to “push the boundaries of entertainment, sports, and technology.” PIF, Silver Lake, and Affinity Partners will fund the transaction with equity capital from their own portfolios, emphasizing long-term growth and global expansion in gaming and esports.

Leaders of the investor consortium highlighted the potential for EA to accelerate innovation and strengthen its global footprint. PIF emphasized its role in building gaming ecosystems, Silver Lake pointed to CEO Andrew Wilson’s track record of doubling revenue and tripling EBITDA, and Affinity Partners’ CEO Jared Kushner lauded EA’s cultural impact, noting his personal history as a longtime fan. With fiscal 2025 net revenues of $7.5 billion and iconic franchises spanning sports and entertainment, EA is positioned to scale further as part of the consortium’s global investment strategy.